ToplineAn ex-Russian model is now accusing Leon Black, a private equity billionaire, of harassing and rape. She claims that Epstein flew her to Florida to fulfill the sex needs and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. This escalates the accusations against Apollo Global Management cofounder. (Blacks lawyer quickly dismissed the new allegations).FILE: Leon Black was the chairman and chief executive of Apollo Global Management LLC at Monday's... [+] annual Milken Institute Global Conference, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A. on Monday, April 27, 2015. Black, Apollo Global Management's chief executive officer, has resigned after months of negative headlines regarding his business dealings and the scandalous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On Monday, insiders spoke on condition that they not be identified. The drama began after the board revealed that Black paid $158 million to Epstein for his advice. The dealmaker will still be chairman and his preferred partner will take over as chief executive officer. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg 2020 Bloomberg Finance LPThe Key FactsFirst reported by Vanity Fair. Lawyers representing Guzel Ganieva filed Monday an amended complaint in which they claim that Black attempted to sexually traffic Ganieva into Epstein for the first time in October 2008. This was several months after their first meeting. Forbes obtained a court filing that claims Black invited Ganieva for lunch in Manhattan but instead took her to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey where he claimed that he attempted to sexually traffic Ganieva to Epstein. This was several months after Ganieva first met Epstein. Ganieva's lawyers claim that she arrived at Epsteins Palm Beach home and was met by Epstein's assistant. However, Ganieva was soon alone in the room with Epstein and Black.Chief CriticMs. Ganieva took six years to prepare the initial complaint in this matter. She now claims that she recalls in August crucial events and connections that somehow had slipped through her mind at the June filing. Perry was referring to the original defamation/sexual violence lawsuit Ganieva filed last month, which did not mention the Epstein incident. Like her June complaint, Ms. Ganieva's story today is clearly and transparently false. She seems willing to lie and invent a story in order that it sticks. It won't.Forbes reached Ganievas lawyers but they did not immediately reply to our request for comment.Important BackgroundGanieva, now 69, filed a lawsuit against Black in June. He was accused of forcing Ganieva to sign a nondisclosure contract to keep quiet about her years of sexual abuse, including rape, as well as using his money and power over her. This happened while Ganievam was still in her 20s. Blackin, in a 52-page counterclaim, filed July 19 deemed Ganieva's claims fiction. He claimed that Ganieva had coerced her into signing a nondisclosure agreement. This was in response to his allegations that he used his money and power to control Ganieva.Surprising FactBlack resigned from his last public position at Apollo, the company he founded three decades ago, and announced that he would not be running for re-election to the Museum of Modern Art chairman, just days after Ganieva made her claims. Black, a New York-based billionaire, also announced his intention to resign as CEO of Apollo. This was despite being under scrutiny for his connections to Epstein, a disgraced financier who committed suicide while awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking. Apollos board of directors discovered that Black had paid Epstein $158million in fees and services, loaned Epstein $30 million, and made a $10million donation to Epsteins charity. However, there was still concern over the large sums of money Black transferred to Epstein for "professional services to my family partnership" and other related family entities. This led to questions about how Black might have supported Epstein's accused criminal behavior. Black claimed that he did not know about Epstein's alleged sexual trafficking of minors.Important QuoteIn her Monday court filing Ganieva contradicted these claims. In spite of Black's attempts to distance himself from Epstein after Epstein's death and revelations about Epsteins criminal activities, and while Black tried his best with the support of a well-crafted legal and public relations team to portray a professional relationship, the filing stated that the two had a very close personal friendship and Epstein was Blacks best buddy.Big Number$9.6 billion According to Forbes estimates, that's how much Black is worth. He still claims ownership of approximately 23% of Apollo. However, he is a majorstay of the Forbes 400 List since 1999, ranking #55 this year.Continue readingLeon Black Claims 'Extortion by Russian Model: The Latest Scandal plaguing the Epstein-Linked Billionaire. Explained (Forbes).Billionaire Leon Black is accused by a woman of sexual abuse. She asks for recordings and texts to prove his innocence (Forbes).Leon Black, a billionaire, has revealed that he will pay Jeffrey Epstein $158 million.
